AN increasing number of Pakistanis, who have done well abroad, would like to remove disparity between the countries where they have prospered and the land of their origin. Of those who actively try many are frustrated by the system here.

We can add to this list the name of Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar who quit as governor of Punjab on Thursday. On the face of it, Mr Sarwar was in a privileged position. He was believed to have cultivated a close relationship with the Sharif brothers during their years of exile in the UK where Mr Sarwar ran a successful business and had earned a name in politics.

Also read: Punjab governor Sarwar resigns: 'I can serve Pakistan better out of office'

As Punjab governor, however, he was perhaps too assertive to adopt the style the Sharif brothers preferred. Indeed, tensions were apparent not too long after his appointment in August 2013 — and these were reflected in the impatient, then frustrated, tone in which he pressed for reform and the revamp of the system.

He drifted away rather quickly from those at the head of the system, ie the Sharifs. Mr Sarwar’s departure came soon after he had questioned Pakistan’s foreign policy in the wake of President Barack Obama’s recent visit to India. But it is very probable that he had realised much earlier how ineffective he was as governor, in contrast to his own description of the job.

The erstwhile governor possessed initiative and he preached dialogue and development. It was no small feat that he managed to catch people’s attention in the presence of a chief minister as prominent as Shahbaz Sharif.

Even when his exit as governor was imminent there was talk as to how he could still be utilised as a federal adviser. There is now speculation about how he can contribute from the platform of a party other than the PML-N. But whereas his next move is keenly awaited, the Sharifs are bound to face strong criticism for yet again failing to coexist with other prominent figures.

Mr Sarwar survived accusations that he was in some way allied to the protest politics of Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri; there were even whispers that he coveted a role in a ‘soon-to-emerge’ caretaker set-up.

He went with his reputation intact, putting the blame of his departure on a Sharif government that has been struggling to live up to the promise of good governance. He can be seen as a dissenter who has vindicated those who oppose the Sharifs.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2015

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